Dear Members of UAZA,

It is with great gratitude, humility, and a deep sense of responsibility that I write to you today as the newly elected President of the Ukrainian Association of South Africa.

I would like to thank you for the trust you have placed in me and introduce the new Executive Committee that will serve our community:

President: Oksana Lissi
Treasurer: Lesya Karpenko
Secretary: Kateryna Kravchenko-Fedkina
Public Relations: Olga Kononenko
Vice President (Gauteng): Nadiia Duradazhy
Vice President (Western Cape): Kateryna Fedkina
Vice President (KwaZulu-Natal): Kateryna Koshkidko

Together, we are committed to continuing UAZA’s mission of promoting Ukrainian culture, preserving our heritage, supporting Ukrainians in South Africa, and strengthening cooperation with our valued partners and friends in South Africa and beyond. We will build on the excellent work of those who have served before us while looking for new ways to strengthen and grow our community.

I firmly believe that only together can we achieve meaningful results. UAZA is not only an organisation; it is our shared home away from home, a piece of Ukraine here in South Africa. It connects us to our roots, our culture, and each other.

My vision for UAZA is simple: to build a strong, united, and welcoming community where every member feels they belong. A community where everyone has a voice, where every contribution matters, and where people can find friendship, support, and a sense of home.

The strength of our Association does not lie in its Executive Committee alone, but in the collective energy, talents, ideas, and dedication of all its members.

In the coming months, we will be creating many opportunities for members to participate in UAZA activities, and I warmly invite each of you to become part of this journey. Every idea, every helping hand, and every contribution, no matter how small, helps strengthen our community. Whether you have time to volunteer, professional skills to share, cultural initiatives to propose, or simply a desire to connect with fellow Ukrainians, there is a place for you in UAZA.

Together, we can build more than an organisation. We can build a vibrant Ukrainian family in South Africa, where every person feels welcome, valued, connected, and at home.

I look forward to meeting many of you, hearing your ideas, and working together to shape the future of our community.

With warm regards,

Oksana Lissi
President
Ukrainian Association of South Africa (UAZA)